The investigation revealed that when Graves left a local pizzeria, he was followed by a small group. Shortly thereafter, Moore shot Graves and fled the scene on foot, officials said. Local police officers found Graves lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and pronounced deceased at 8:57 p.m.

Moore’s guilty plea is the result of a four-year joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department, officials said.

As part of his plea agreement, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend a 15 year sentence, subject to the No Early Release Act, officials said. This will mean, Moore will have to serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole and will remain under supervision for five years after his release. The plea agreement was reached after full consultation and approval of the victim’s family, officials said.

Sentencing will be held on March 22. The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Meghan Doyle and Emily Cartmell. Moore is represented by Mark Bailey of Newark.